The inaugural digital cohort of the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) has been announced by the Events Industry Council (EIC).

One hundred and twenty-six event professionals earned their SEPC certificate through the online course, which teaches best practices and standards for sustainability in the events industry. The global inaugural digital class of 2022 included two Canadians—Natalie Ciarallo, CMP, Proof Experiences, and Melissa Denomme, McMaster Innovation Park—as well as MICE pros from the United States, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Germany, Hong Kong, Romania, Bulgaria, Singapore, Northern Ireland, France and Japan. Details of the first SEPC digital cohort can be found here.

Initially introduced as an in-person course, the SEPC was updated and expanded in June 2021 to offer an online option so it would be easily accessible for professionals throughout the pandemic. The online course also enables a greater number of professionals to participate no matter where in the world they are based.

The course, which was developed by a global group of industry experts, covers 16 different modules, which include understanding the business value of sustainability, improving the environmental performance of meetings and events, and effective methods for achieving corporate social impact goals.

As an additional incentive, professionals who complete the SEPC course receive 12 hours of Continuing Education (CE) credits toward their Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) application or recertification. EIC is also an approved provider of CAE continuing education and professionals who earn the SEPC certificate will be eligible for 12 CAE credits.

Amy Calvert, CEO, EIC, said: “The events industry is critical for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as we foster the connections needed to innovate, collaborate and accelerate action for the goals. I am proud of the hard work and determination displayed by the first digital group of SEPC professionals, who represent global and diverse sector experience, and cannot wait to see how they apply what they have gained from the course to support their organizations and our industry in becoming more sustainable.”

For more information on the SEPC program visit www.eventscouncil.org/Sustainability/SEPC